Lausanne, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, is the capital and biggest city of the canton of Vaud in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura Mountains to its northwest, and is located 62 kilometres northeast of Geneva.

Lausanne is a focus of international sport, hosting the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has been based there since 1914, and the Olympic Museum, the world’s largest information centre about the Olympic Games.

A total of 500 staff work for the IOC and are currently spread across four locations in the Olympic capital, but a new headquarters - due to inaugurated on 2019 Olympic Day - will bring them together under one roof.

Known as Olympic House, the inauguration on June 23 is set to coincide with the 125th anniversary of the creation of the IOC.

Located in the Vidy area of Lausanne, close to the Lake Geneva shoreline, the new headquarters are expected to cost CHF200 million (£153 million/$199 million/€77 million).

The IOC first decided to move ahead with the project in 2014, with their previous headquarters on the same site now demolished.

Lausanne is also the home of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, while more than 55 International Sports Federations and organisations are based there. 

What is more, it stages annual sporting events such as the Lausanne Marathon and the Athletissima, part of the International Association of Athletics Federations Diamond League, at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise. 

Lausanne is built on the southern slope of the Swiss plateau and boasts a stunning view over Lake Geneva and the Savoy Alps.

Switzerland’s only metro system, made up of 28 stations and running along two lines, connects the various parts of city.

At the heart of the old town lies the majestic Lausanne Cathedral. 

It is regarded as Switzerland’s most impressive piece of early Gothic architecture.

Among the places particularly worth visiting in Lausanne are its grand hotels such as Beau-Rivage Palace, a historical luxury five-star located in Ouchy on the shores of Lake Léman, and Hôtel Angleterre and Résidence.

For those people in touch with their cultural side, the collection of marginal art at Beaulieu Castle - a Swiss heritage site of national significance - will offer plenty of interest.

Hermitage Foundation museum, showcasing Swiss and international artists, is also a major attraction along with Musée de l'Elysée, a museum entirely devoted to photography.

If that isn’t enough, Lausanne is home to the world-famous Béjart Ballet that was founded in 1987.

Lausanne will be the centrepiece of the Winter Youth Olympic Games but venues will be spread across Switzerland, with some events taking place across the border in France.

The most recognisable name of other host towns will be the resort of St Moritz, due to host bobsleigh, luge and skeleton during the Games. 

A luxury Alpine resort town in Switzerland’s Engadin valley, it has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, has the Cresta Run, a famous bobsled run made of natural ice, and an outdoor Olympic ice rink. 

Its frozen lake hosts polo, cricket and even horse racing on ice. 

Ski and snowboard areas include Corviglia, Diavolezza and Corvatsch, and there are well-groomed cross-country ski trails.

Champéry, a small village in district of Monthey in the canton of Valais, will host the curling.

Les Diablerets will host Alpine skiing. 

The ski resort is located in the municipality of Ormont-Dessus in the canton of Vaud.

It is surrounded by the Diablerets Massif, whose peak - Sommet des Diablerets - at 3,210 metres is the highest point in western Switzerland.

Leysin, located at the eastern end of Lake Geneva, is set to stage ski and snowboard freestyle events at Lausanne 2020. 

The village of Leysin itself has a lot on offer and is known for its spectacular Alpine views across the Rhône Valley towards the Dents du Midi, inviting year-round mountain sports and recreation.

Vallée de Joux, a valley of the Jura Mountains mainly in the Swiss Canton of Vaud, will provide the setting for cross-country skiing at Lausanne 2020. 

The area is one of the main birthplaces of Swiss horology and it is still the home of the most famous Swiss watch factories, like Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Breguet, Patek Philippe & Co., Vacheron Constantin, and Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Ski cross, snowboard cross and ski mountaineering will take place in village of Villars-sur-Ollon, with its stunning views of Mont Blanc, and its 270 kilometres-long network of pistes.

Facilities and venues in France are also set to be utilised by Lausanne 2020 with ski jumping, biathlon and Nordic combined all set to take place at the Tuffes Nordic Stadium.

The Stadium is located in the Jura Mountains of the Saint-Claude region of France, between the communes of Prémanon and Les Rousses.